The Death of a Pretty Good Blog

And that's a wrap folks.

Btw, check out my last blog for a good goodbye song by the Coop.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Wild Things (1998)

I'm feeling lazy tonight, so...plot:

"In south Florida, a high school counselor is accused of rape by a manipulative rich girl and her trailer trash classmate. The cop on the case begins to suspect a conspiracy and dives into an elaborate and devious web of greed and betrayal to find the truth."

The counselor is Matt Dylon, the officer is Kevin Bacon, the "trailer trash classmate" is Neve Campbell and the "rich girl" is Denise Richards. (I told you I was feeling lazy). Bill Murray also makes a surprise appearance as a quirky (what else?) defense lawyer.

The film is described as a "erotic thriller" and that's exactly what it is. There are numerous nudity scenes as well as pretty graphic sex scenes. The plot is so-so relying mostly on countless twists throughout to keep the audience focused.

Honestly, this just isn't a very good movie. None of the characters are likable (except for Murray but he's not exactly a main character). The plot isn't all that praiseworthy but the film is probably worth a watch just because the plot twists are actually quite surprising and well done. I give it 2 out of 5 stars, I should probably rate it higher just because of the twists, but...nah.


And, well...That's it.


I'm done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And here is a goodbye song performed by the great and legendary Alice Cooper

Last of the Horoscopes

• Aries Love has been compared to many, many things, but thanks to your unique outsider's perspective, you'll be the first to spot its uncanny resemblance to the international bauxite market.
• Taurus Although it's true that violence never solves anything, it turns out it's just fine for a quick temporary fix in many situations.
• Gemini The say that it's not how well the bear dances that's impressive, but that the bear can dance at all, which is kind of insulting considering the number of hours you spent teaching it.
• Cancer You'll come to in a new Orleans brothel between a dead politician's daughter and a duffel bag full of cash, but unfortunately it's all easily explained and is cleared up within minutes.
• Leo Okay, the stars realize that last week's prediction of increasingly lower temperatures may not have been that impressive, but this week's incubus invasion should make up for it.
• Virgo The old saying that there are no second acts in life may or may not be true for everyone, but you're going to be more concerned with how they just skipped ahead to the ending.
• Libra You'll singlehandedly embody the dreams of an entire nation when you gat a very large food item for free after eating said item in less than an hour.
• Scorpio You'll soon provide proof that a small, dedicated group of people can change the world by accidentally driving a rented moving truck into a petroleum storage facility.
• Sagittarius Your week will be so varied, interesting, and surprising that eventually the coroner will just give up, shrug, and write "heart failure" in the spot marked "Cause of Death."
• Capricorn This will be a good week to renew the bonds of friendship, especially the ones on the nurse you keep chained to the basement water heater.
• Aquarius While it's true that only God can judge you, it also won't take Him more than a couple seconds.
• Pisces Your biggest mistake wasn't assuming there was some kind of secret to life. It was assuming that it was the kind of secret that would make your life better.

The Book of Eli

The Book of Eli takes places in the aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse(generally described). It's more or less present day, except with roving bands of marauders, cutthroats (or is that repetitive?) and cannibals. In the midst of all this craziness and death is a man, a grizzly and dangerous man seemingly intent on a unspecified mission. Eli (Denzel Washington) is making his way West across what's left of the ravaged plains of America. He is a man of great mystery as is a book he carries with him hidden within his backpack (it's the Bible, there I ruined it for you). On a side note, this is a pretty one-dimensional character, he is largely a quiet man of action, so not many actors could pull this off. Denzel however does a very good job - he is truly believable and carries a certain presence about him on the screen.

Well, eventually he makes it to a small, desolate town run by Carnegie (Gary Oldman - the guy from Dracula and Batman). Carnegie is a ruthless despot (more or less) of his own small little town. He is in search for the last remaining Bibles because he sees great power if he were to gain possession of one of them. He uses a local band of gang members and mercenaries to get this done. Just wait until Eli comes strolling into town and Carnegie finds out whats in his pack - then all hell breaks loose!! No, I really didn't give anything away. Trust me. Oldman is also a hell of an actor and can portray countless emotions through slight facial expressions. He plays a truly evil character - allergories (allegories?) to the devil abound.

Lastly, Mila Kunis plays Solaris, the attractive daughter to the ruthless Carnegie and will play a important part later in the movie.

This movie was very good. It is very violent and pretty action packed. And it is one of the most religious movies I've ever seen - I mean it's very heavy handed stuff. A good Catholic boy like me loved it but it's definitely not for everyone. It's a religious tale with a machete and a shotgun thrown it.

The Onion's Weekly Horoscopes

Btw, I had to miss class today, I did actually do my paper. My car's been acting up. The battery light has been on for awhile and it actually died yesterday right in the white building parking lot, so I had to get jumped. So, I couldn't make it to any of my classes Thurs. Fixing it tomorrow though.


And now, your horoscopes!

 They're really funny this week:

• Aries Your excitement at winning a trip to the big city will be painful to watch for all those who know what happened to the other pretty Ukrainian teens who entered the contest.
• Taurus You will be celebrated and vilified in equal measure when you scientifically determine the exact point at which a cute kitten becomes a full-grown cat and starts to suck.
• Gemini You've always thought that blimps were kind of relaxing, but that was before you experienced the long, drawn-out, almost boring horror of a three-hour accident.
• Cancer Trouble arises in the workplace when, after overhearing your remark about Lincoln having freed the slaves, your boss whips you, chains you to the drill press, and remarks that Lincoln was a long way from Shenzhen.
• Leo The supposedly open-minded residents of your hometown will shun you for sleeping with white women, especially when they find out you've been using lead-based paint to get them that way.
• Virgo You'll find it difficult to express your pride when the local nursing college lists your "activities" as the reason enrollment is down.
• Libra While it's true that a lot of music contains sexual innuendo, you're pretty much alone in thinking that Beethoven's Fifth has an undeniable copulatory rhythm.
• Scorpio You've always believed that you've left your lovers happy, satisfied, and thinking fondly of you, but their plaintive oinking and squealing would seem to suggest otherwise.
• Sagittarius You awoke this morning a young man without a care in the world, but due to cosmic events beyond your control, you'll end the day as the oldest woman ever in≠ducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Capricorn Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh at the hilarity of it all, but sometime's it's better to actually help people out of the burning building.
• Aquarius Although you are firmly convinced there are some things that mankind was just not meant to know, you're not exactly sure how you're supposed to be able to tell what they are.
• Pisces Someday in the future, long after you've died and passed from living memory, really won't be that long from now.

Leslie Nielson, RIP 84

Ok, so Leslie Nielson passed away last night and I was - am a huge fan of his movies and his comedic style. He always played his roles on a serious dry note which made the humor so much funnier. Naked Gun is still one of my favorite movies and I've decided to dedicate this blog just to him.

Airplane Don't Call Me Shirley:

Airplane Fish:

Clips from Naked Gun, the movie:

And the famous umpire scene where he goes undercover:

Naked Gun Show:

Scary Movie:

And lastly, this is a Leslie Nielson prank call:

The Onion's Weekly Horoscopes

Here are the weekly Onion Horoscopes and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

• Aries Applying tactics found in classic American folktales to your problems seemed like a good idea, but it turns out collection agencies have gotten wise to the old Tar Baby trick.
• Taurus You'll try to set the world afire with the unbridled passion of your incandescent prose, but fail so badly you're hailed as the next John Updike.
• Gemini In the end, you won't wish you'd done anything differently; you'll just wish you hadn't had to do anything.
• Cancer You thought having a cat would be fun, but it's been 10 days and it hasn't even gotten itself anything to eat yet.
• Leo Love ends, sometimes bit by bit, sometimes suddenly, but it does end. That said, it's unusual for it to jump off a bridge like that.
• Virgo Mercury rising in your sign indicates that things are getting hotter, as the mercury has expanded, causing it to rise up the thermometer.
• Libra Don't let people tell you that you can't be anything you want in life. Surgical techniques and gene-grafting will soon allow anyone to assume giraffe form.
• Scorpio Somehow you always thought that when you got to a certain age the clothes would be a lot better.
• Sagittarius Life may be a series of small and inevitable defeats culminating in death, but look at it this way: You won't have to put up with as much of it as most people.
• Capricorn You thought there was nothing in life that the music of Al Green couldn't fix, but then you found out about reactor meltdowns, crop failure, and cardiac embolisms.
• Aquarius You will soon get a nicer job selling higher-quality sweatpants to a somewhat better class of people.
• Pisces This will be a week of surprise after surprise, which will become tiresome after a few hours, terrifying after a few days, and unspeakable after that.

Morning Glory - Pretty Darn Good For a Chick Flick

 

Morning Glory is a  fairly new (still in theaters) comedy that mostly delivers. While admittedly a "chick-flick", it is still altogether enjoyable and entertaining film. I never really found myself bored or checking my watch (phone). As a straight guy who enjoys his share of football and midget fights, I can boldly declare that I did in fact like this movie.

Rachel McAdams plays Becky Fuller, a energetic, overly-optimistic, and recently fired television producer. After being fired from a local television network, Becky begins to apply for a slew of television networks with little success. Until - that's right - until she gets a call back from a struggling (perennially in 4th or 5th place - my memory is a bit foggy) television network. After a painfully awkward interview, she gets the job and begins a long and grueling job at turning the network around or facing cancellation (that's right!). Oh, and by the way, she only has a few weeks, pretty crazy stakes, am I right? Oh, and she fired her lead anchor and replaced him with a very vain and angry Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) - I wasn't sure where to put this last line so I just threw it in here.

The acting is fine and honestly, the thing that holds this whole movie together is Harrison Ford who puts together a great performance as a continually angry and obnoxious anchor. As he explains to Becky why he won't do a segment on puppies, "I've won eight Peabodys, a Pulitzer and 16 Emmys," he scowls. "I was shot through the forearm in Bosnia, pulled Colin Powell from a burning jeep; I laid a cool washcloth on Mother Teresa's forehead during a cholera epidemic." Yes. He is that type of guy and he plays it well. Really, when the old grump is not on screen. the movie severely lacks. The other actors are fine and the plot does it's part, but honestly, the movie is all Ford here. There's even a love story thrown in here between McAdams character and what looks like a male model that writes short segments for the station, but this feels forced and unnecesarry.

So, overall, I liked it. But then again, I bet if I rented it and watched it over by myself I'm sure I would come to my senses and realize just how awful it really is. But who knows, go out and see it yourself.

I give it 3 Roger Eberts

Trailer: 

Music: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh)

Brooklyn's Finest - A Good Fast Paced Cop Drama About Morality & Ethics

Brooklyn's Finest is a gritty and brutal police drama from Antoine Fuqua, the director of such films as Shooter and Training Day. The film follows three cops as they are forced to confront their own moral dilemma and the deadly and often brutal consequences that follow.

Eddie Dugan (Richard Gere), a washed-up, drunk, and bitter Irish cop who is days away from retirement is forced by his boss (not sure of the rank) to actively train new recruits. He is disliked by those around him and he dislikes them right back. The only solace he finds is in that of a prostitute. She's nice enough, but I mean, she's a prostitute. Oh, he's also going through a divorce! Good thing I didn't forget that! His moral dilemma is whether he should muster courage and take action against blatant evil or whether he should just turn away and find his solace at the bottom of a bottle.

Clarence "Tango" Butler (Don Cheadle) is a undercover cop who must navigate the dangerous gangs of Brooklyn. He desperately seeks a promotion and a nice coozy office job so he can get his life and more importantly, his marriage, in order. His moral dilemma: His last assignment is to take down the very man who saved his life, ex-con Casanova Phillips (Wesley Snipes in a powerful return  to the screens before he's sent to prison I guess).

Lastly, there is Det. Sal Procida (Ethan Hawke) who plays a officer assigned with the more dangerous police jobs such as taking down drug houses and things like that. He is undergoing a severe crisis in his life as his wife is pregnant with a third child. Barely able to afford the two they have and with his wife having increasing health problems due to the mold in their small house, Sal has taken steps to buy a new house for the family. Apparently not watching the news for the past several years, he really doesn't have the money to afford the first payments and must do whatever he can to get those funds - including stealing drug money in very dangerous circumstances - that is his dilemma.

Overall, the movie is pretty good. It is a very gritty police drama and is depressing throughout. The acting is very good even if I'm not a Richard Gere fan (he cries in all his movies) . The plot is well constructed and never confuses or misses a beat. The beginning is somewhat slow and I found myself never really getting into it until about midway through, although by then I was on the edge of my seat - no kidding. Warning: This is a fairly violent movie.

I give it 4 out of 5 Roger Eberts

Music: Edwin McCain - I'll Be

The Wolfman!!!! Zzzzzzzz

The Wolfman, a 2010 remake of a 1941 flick is a dull, stupid, apathetic, and dull movie. Sitting through this two hour movie I begged no, prayed for sleep hoping that atleast I would have a scary nightmare because I wasn't getting much from the movie. No luck I'm afraid. Well, where shall we begin?

Out of sheer laziness, here is the synopsus provided by IMDb:

"Lawrence Talbot's childhood ended the night his mother died. His father sent him from the sleepy Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor to an insane asylum, then he goes to America. When his brother's fiancée, Gwen Conliffe, tracks him down to help find her missing love, Talbot returns to his father's estate to learn that his brother's mauled body has been found. Reunited with his estranged father, Lawrence sets out to find his brother's killer... and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself. Someone or something with brute strength and insatiable blood lust has been killing the villagers, and a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline comes to investigate."

Yup, Del Toro looks meh as a werewolf (have I given too much away?). He doesn't exactly impress or frighten  and his acting skills are cringe inducing leaving me to wonder why he's considering such a great actor, perhaps it's just the movie that's doing it to me, I dunno. Hopkins plays the same character he plays in all his movies, the gruff, wise man with something mysterious about him. Emily Blunt is really hot, like wow. Umm...

Umm, yeah, stay away from this movie, this isn't just a slow movie, a lot of slow movies are rather good, this is just boring and I just feel apathetic about the whole thing. Ugh.

This gets 2 Roger Eberts (out of 5)

Btw, Don't Do Drugs, Don't Be Like Helen Hunt

Music: Bill Withers - Lovely Day

Hostage

Hostage, a 2005 action flick starring Bruce Willis is purely a tale of redemption. The film opens with Jeff Talley (Willis) negotiating with a frantic and disturbed father who has taken his wife and son hostage. Talley attempts to play it cool with the armed man over the phone. Presented with an opportunity  to kill the madman as he appears in an open window, Talley refuses, scrawling on a whiteboard: No one is going to die today. This proves a disastrous decision in Talley's life as the gunman abruptly hangs up the phone and proceeds to kill his family and then himself. One wrong decision and Talley breaks down. He must grapple with the choice he made that day, he must come to terms with the innocent blood on his hands.

Several years later, Talley finds himself working as a small town cop. His relationship with his wife and children is distant and he finds himself a sad and troubled man. He needs a chance to redeem himself. All he needs is an opportunity - lucky for him (lucky?) just such an opportunity presents itself.

Three local scumbags decide to move on up in the criminal world. Sick of just pickpocketing and holding up convenience store clerks for petty cash, they get the notion to break into a wealthy family's house with loot on their mind. Willis is called into action as the home invasion turns sour and a peering local cop loses her life. As the three invaders are trapped in the house, Talley must find a way to fix this situation and fix it quickly through his specialty, negotiation, and if that fails, he'll just have to blast his way in. I mean, it's Bruce Willis after all.

The acting is good with strong performances out of Willis, Kevin Pollak (The Usual Suspects) as the father of the family with something to hide, Jonathan Tucker (Chainsaw Massacre 2004) as the dimwitted home invader, and a truly disturbed performance by Ben Foster as the sadistic and truly evil one of the group with a eye for the father's daughter.

Overall, I give it four Roger Eberts. It was a solid action flick, one that keeps you interested and guessing. The director knew what kind of movie he was making and what the audience expected and delivered.

Trailer:

















Btw, here's an awesome mugshot with the full article:

http://perezhilton.com/2010-11-11-mark-siebenmorgen-arrested-for-criminal-mischief

And...some music:

The Beatles - Yellow Submarine.   Just because.

New Design + Horoscopes

I got bored with the rain design and decided to switch it up on you guys, how's the new design looking? Hard to see the type?

And this week's Onion online horoscopes:

• Aries It's very principled of you, not to mention brave, to stand by your beliefs, but by week's end you'll have graphically conclusive proof that bullfighting is not fake.
• Taurus This week's revelations will be especially traumatic for you unless you get it through your thick head that sex is natural and that there's absolutely nothing wrong with transvestism.
• Gemini You were just being clever, if a bit arch, when you said "Either this wallpaper goes or I do," but the wallpaper will use its powerful social connections to have you ostracized from polite society.
• Cancer You've always believed that everything happens for a reason, so there will probably be a perfectly reasonable explanation for what the less philosophical would call your senseless death next week.
• Leo It was probably a little cynical for you to have used such base physical tactics to get a husband, but on the other hand, he doesn't seem to mind.
• Virgo You've always thought your life would be better if you could go back in time and tell yourself a few things, so it'll be pretty depressing this week when you find out you've tried that already.
• Libra You've never claimed to be a genius, but you have a nagging suspicion that you should have known sheets could be changed.
• Scorpio Your drug experimentation enters an exciting new phase when you find one that makes the throbbing pain in your head subside almost completely.
• Sagittarius You will find precious little to live for now that the age of the extended synthesizer jam is well and truly over.
• Capricorn You can't understand why people keep telling you they're tired of your act. Why, the costume changes alone are nothing short of breathtaking.
• Aquarius Take heart—there is absolutely nothing wrong with love. However, be warned that love is not exactly what you're feeling for those poor terrified nurses.
• Pisces You will indeed live fairly fast, and you'll die relatively young, but no one will be able to say you left a beautiful corpse.

The Crazies

I saw this baby in theaters, but I rewatched it over the week so let me give you a bit of what I thought of it. First off, The Crazies revolves around small and rural fictitious town in Iowa. Everything is as it should be in this peaceful little town, that is until a local man stumbles onto a baseball field in the middle of a game. Not so bad you say? Well, the man is clutching a shotgun. So, yes, this causes quite a commotion. The man is confronted with local sheriff David (Timothy Olyphant) with his deputy Russell (Joe Anderson) by his side. During a increasingly hostile and bizarre attempt to have this man put down his gun, the man makes a quick move to shoot the sheriff but instead meets a quick demise as the horrified  David rushes to his side, smoking gun still in hand.

This of course, is only the beginning as more and more town folk begin to act erratically and outright hostile. David, his wife Judy (Radha Mitchell), and Russell must stay alive long enough to find out what is destroying their once beloved city. It doesn't help that the town is under a secret government quarantine where no one is allowed in or out and all phone and internet connection is non-existant. Just wait until the military moves in! Guns-blazing! Or did I give too much away?



The movie, it's ok. I suppose it's worth a viewing if you like a quick horror with a lot of violence (oh yeah). Along with the violence, this film uses a lot of cheap scares with the camera. The bad guy is behind you scare and they use it quite a bit. Also they let the viewer know they are supposed to jump at certain times be afraid when they raise the music (the score) of the film at certain times. They do this way too often. This is a simple movie, easy to follow, and I guess they need to let the audience know when they should be frightened. This is not a subtle film. Also, I am not big on visuals but the ending scene of this movie is simply breathtaking the way the use a heightened color and the special effects during this scene are honestly breath-taking. One of the coolest if not horrific things I have seen in a movie.

I give it a C. There, my first grade.
Trailer:

 

Oh! And here is a great questionaire to find out how you would taste to a cannibal! Need I say more? 

I taste like a broiled fish apparently. 

http://www.recipestar.com/quizzes/view/cannibal-taste

Vertical Horizon - Best I Ever Had

The Walking Dead

Before I talk about the new AMC series the Walking Dead, I have to say after watching that awesome 90's action flick Payback, I bought it on dvd and I guess I bought the Director's Cut thinking it was pretty much the same thing - big mistake. The Director's Cut completely ruins the mood and the flow of the original cut and well, it basically sucks. I repeat, do not see the Director's Cut, there was a reason this cut didn't make it to the box office.

And here we go: Ok, so I'm two episodes into this because I am a really big zombie fan (fan? Is that the right word?) I just always loved and grew up watching George Romero's classic zombie flicks, The Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, etc. so, needless to say, I found myself very excited for this upcoming show.
Trailer:

Overall, it's a pretty decent show. It stars relatively unknown  Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, a Georgian police officer who is healing from a gunshot wound. He wakes up to find himself in a deserted and cluttered hospitable. How long has it been since he was first brought in? Weeks? Months? The viewer isn't informed and neither is Grimes. He wakes up to a world on confusion - confusion and death. As he makes his way out of the hospital he witnesses many of the dead around the hospital, in parks, in the streets - and then he witnesses the living dead. He is forced to befriend a father and son in the early going but then he must be off - off to Atlanta to find his wife and son. That is his quest.

The second episode was a downer. The plot became convoluted in spots and the dialogue was overall flat and well, dumb -it was wooden. Even for a horror. The characters are starting to come across as generally stereotypical and they're involving race into the show, which could actually work as Romero did well when he interjected his movies with timely social commentary but the use of race in this show feels forced, outdated, and unnecessary. After a promising first episode, this left me very disappointed, to say the least.

This tends to be a rather violent show as they disregard the less is more approach and instead keeps the camera focused on the violence - which doesn't always work, even in a zombie show.

Honestly, I'm just not getting my full satisfaction from your typical zombie movie and I think I know why, hear me out here (who am I talking to?). In all the great zombie movies - except for Zombieland, but that was more of a comedy and would never work if it worked solely as a horror - there was an overriding, a suffocating sense of doom pervading throughout each and every one of those movies. The worst possible had happened - the world had turned into decaying monsters, everyone, family and friends. In these movies, the mood was such that you knew, no matter what happened, no matter how much you hoped and prayed for them, there was no escaping this horror. The survivors enjoying being barricaded in a mall - the viewer knew as it was crying out in every last scene - that sooner or later - the undead hordes would break in in a horrible horrible way and it would be judgment day for the surviving crew. There was no survival, just postponent.

That to me was what made these films so enjoyable, this is what set them apart from dracula, from freddy kreuger, from jason, there was hope in these movies, hope was gradually distinguished in these zombie movies. And this, most of all is why The Walking Dead just isn't doing it for me. The mood of the show, the atmosphere of it is pretty bland, pretty meh. The only thing dark and dreading about this show is the zombies themselves, and that can bore after awhile. Atleast, that's my feelings about it.

Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around

Horoscopes

First: A funny little bit I found on the corner of national review, a political website:

Because It’s Friday

November 5, 2010 5:36 P.M.

By Daniel Foster    

Follow these simple steps for a cheap laugh:

Step 1.       Go to http://maps.google.com
Step 2.       Click get directions
Step 3.       Type origin (A) as Japan
Step 4.       Type Destination (B) as China
Step 5.       Go to line 43
Step 6.       Laugh!

 From the Onion, an online website:

http://www.theonion.com/

• Aries After taxes, overhead, and legal fees, that million-dollar idea you've been working on for years will wind up costing you about $3,500.
• Taurus You'll finally realize a dream you've had since childhood, dear Taurus, when a huge scary monster comes out from under your bed and eats you alive.
• Gemini The reason for your recent crises of conscience will become clear this week when you discover the angel from your right shoulder and the devil from your left have been sleeping together for about a year now.
• Cancer Next week won't be the best you've ever had, but it will advance medical understanding of genital implosion by leaps and bounds.
• Leo A good friend will be a pillar of strength and support during a harrowing crisis. Show your appreciation by sending this person a note that says, "Thanks for your support."
• Virgo You'll continue to get away with your horrendous crimes against humanity without suffering consequences, although they will eventually get you for the tax evasion.
• Libra You won't be absolutely certain you like the changes in yourself— especially considering you'll appeal to a whole new group of people—after they make a 12-inch dance remix of you.
• Scorpio The stars say there's nothing wrong with being a belt-and-suspenders type, but you should probably reconsider being a leather-shorts-and-no-shirt type as well.
• Sagittarius The FDA will realize its mistake too late to prevent your death when it accidentally names you as part of a complete breakfast.
• Capricorn You'll realize that you hallucinated that everyone was wearing business casual all weekend, which explains why Halloween was so awkward this year.
• Aquarius Romance will once again pass you by this week when the love of your life decides to go with a person who makes better mix-tapes.
• Pisces You will get a reasonably good deal on a necessary household item, which is frankly more than an asshole like you deserves.

Nothing Today

Nothing today, just writing my paper. : (

Counting Crows - Holiday in Spain

 Office Space: A Case of the Mondays

Great Driving Song

Stone Temple Pilots -Big Empty

Blues

I've compiled a somewhat lengthy list of songs I just can't listen to when I'm down. I'm in no way sad now, but I need a topic and I really don't listen to any specific songs when I'm happy - maybe more Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers, but nothing specific. This post is also a steal of a post on another blog, but I got her permission - somewhat. Thanks again.

In alphabetic order:

Bush - 40 Miles From the Sun

Cracker - Gentleman's Blues

Frank Sinatra - Yesterday (much better than the Beatles version in my humble opinion)

Gym Class Heroes - Everyday's Forecast

Our Lady Peace - Somewhere Out There

Seether - Fine Again

Weezer - Island in the Sun

The Onion's Weekly Horoscopes

The Onion is an online newspaper. I don't know if they are in print or not but I usually check their site online about...umm, every day. Here is the link:

http://www.theonion.com/

• Aries An in-depth study will reveal that, contrary to popular belief, bedbugs are great and you are the problem.
• Taurus You'll once again get into a public shouting match at an upscale bistro this week over what is and is not in fact gangsta.
• Gemini Somehow it just seems unfair that several famous people will make hundreds of dollars after picking you in next week's Mundane Individual Dead Pool.
• Cancer Nothing of note will happen to you this week, as the dozens of people you'll tell about it will be able to attest.
• Leo Venus rising in your sign sounds like a welcome harbinger of romantic good tidings, but the zodiac assures you it's merely decorative.
• Virgo The largest meteorite ever to hit a person was about 45 pounds, making you a posthumous shoo-in for the record next Wednesday.
• Libra The universal redshift indicates that the stars are flying away from us at astounding velocities. Perhaps it is more accurate to say "from you."
• Scorpio The stars are tired of politely nodding when you say you're single because you're "too picky." You're 25 pounds overweight and, frankly, the body odor is getting out of hand.
• Sagittarius They say God never gives us more than we can handle, which must mean He knows a way you can handle a swarm of hyperaggressive Africanized bees.
• Capricorn Before making any important business decisions next week, ask yourself if you're using the same decision-making criteria that sent you to prison.
• Aquarius You'll undergo the kind of stress that would break a lesser woman and that will cause whatever kind of woman you are to shatter into a coarse powder.
• Pisces Your dreams will all come true next week, including the ones you have thus far mercifully forgotten upon waking.

Music: Pearl Jam - Alive

Vote!

Well, this is the day guys and gals, time to vote. If you don't you will die. I believe this to be correct because I saw an ad on it for television.

Two very important and factual messages on voting (although a little raunchy - to say the least):

http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/104400/vote-or-die

and if you somehow survive this, you most likely will be shunned and even banished:

http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/154578/banishment
Music: The Beatles - Taxman

Also thought this was funny:

The Thing

I watched an oldie from the 80's (is that considered an oldie?) called The Thing starring Kurt Russell. Kurt plays a member of a small scientific team working on God knows what in the middle of Antarctica. Their quiet existence is shattered one day as a small band of Norwegians from a nearby camp storm into camp chasing and shooting wildly at a terrified dog. Kurt and his group fend off and kill the Norwegians and protect the mysterious animal. After the dog is locked in a pen with the other dogs, a loud commotion is heard from the pen leading the team to discover to their horror that the dog was in the middle of devouring and physically (and graphically) transforming all the dogs into one normal looking animal. They found it killing and then mimicking the other dogs. After they kill and destroy this monstrosity by fire, dark questions begin to emerge. This "dog" had been in camp for hours and could have conceivably killed and mimicked any member(s?) of the group. No one can be really trusted.

Director John Carpenter creates a pervading sense of tension as well as a general sense of creeping doom throughout each scene. The acting is good enough for a horror movie (not too bad) and the plot works well enough. It isn't for the faint of heart though as a certain number of the scenes contain a fair amount of gore (hardly as bad as those dumb saw and hostel movies though).

Overall a good mystery horror film that will keep you guessing and entertained until the end (and hopefully after as well)

Music: Nine Days - I Love You
I have a strong feeling that this song is a cover, but I could be wrong. Just a good overall song.

From Paris With Love

Here's an action buddy flick if anyone's interested. One hands, two hands three...no, you're just scratching your head? Ok. Well the movie is From Paris With Love and it stars John Travolta as the tough, funny, and deeply patriotic black ops CIA member as he teams up with a U.S. ambassador to Paris (Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors) for his first black ops mission. They must roam Paris in search of Middle Eastern terrorists to kill. Pretty simple. And btw, yes, they kill plenty. Chinese drug gangs as well.

As outrageous as Travolta's character is, it's hard not to like him, which surprised me as I was expecting to his character ridiculous and well, dumb. I mean, look at him

Meyers' character on the otherhand, is not that likable. As one of the two main characters, he is mostly there just to eat up time and clumsily move the story along as Travolta does his thing, you know kill people and find things out. Also, I don't know that much about him and whether he's a good actor or not, but in this movie, his acting skills are, well, bad. Quite noticeably too.

Ok movie to spend a quick hour and a half on. I would recommend it simply to watch Travolta kick some terrorist ass, but there are other movies out there.

Funny(?) story: A 84 year old woman drove (obliviously) on the wrong way on I-95 in Delaware. A few cars crashed (not hers) but no one was seriously hurt. Here is the link, including the video:

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2010/10/29/elderly-woman-caught-on-video-driving-in-wrong-direction-on-i-95/

Music: Cake - Cool Blue Reason such a cool song.

Unthinkable

Just saw a good terrorist, ticking bomb kind of movie called Unthinkable. It stars Samuel L Jackson and that one chick from the Matrix. It's entirely about a sole interrogator (Jackson) using every possible tool at his disposal to get a sole captured terrorist to talk. You see, this terrorist had broadcast a  video showing him placing three nuclear warheads in three unidentified American cities. This movie is about torture, and solely about torture as Jackson must do whatever he can to break this man, this evil man. Jackson must push himself, reluctantly at times, to do sick and twisted things throughout the movie. He has to push himself to do the unthinkable, the military and the sole representative of the ACLU (Matrix chick) attempt to bring Jackson back and even force him - physically at times - to go easier on the terrorist. The movie never takes sides though and rightfully lets the viewer decide, should he go easy on the captured terrorist and potentially endanger millions of American lives or do all he can to find out all he knows. Overall, a good smart movie that will leave you chewing on the message - or whatever message the viewer concocts - for days. It is a very emotionally charged movie.

Music: Scorpions - Woman

Btw, just how awesome does this new show look?

The Walking Dead

Overrated

Just downloaded, err...bought the discography - all the albums - from the band the Killers. And, I dunno, I think they're pretty overrated. Which got me to thinking of other overrated bands. Now, these are not bands that I dislike (except for no. 4,7,and 8) just bands that I consider recieved more praise than they were/are worth.

The List:

1. The Beatles - yes. The Beatles. I know they had some really good songs, I know, and I know they had 4 lead singers, but let's be honest here, they aren't one of the greatest bands of all time. And here comes the complaints...
2. Aerosmith - Good band but I mean, c'mon now...
3. Beach Boys - I like some songs but I don't believe this one requires any explanation.
4. Boston/Rush/Journey/Bon Jovi - Take that 80's!
5. Frank Sinatra - Ha, no. Just kidding,
6. Green Day - Way too whiney.
7. John Mellencamp/Bruce Springsteen - Just because?
8. Bob Dylan - I have no idea what he's talking about half - most of the time.

Well, have at it...Just go easy on me. I'm fragile.


Music: Led Zeppelin - Thank You

Your Weekly Horoscopes Via the Onion

• Aries The stars are beginning to suspect you think of relationships, dating, and in fact any romantic involvement whatsoever as nothing more than an excuse to make mixtapes.
• Taurus Don't wait until tomorrow to start living the life you want today. That said, it may take months to properly assume the identity of veteran character actor William H. Macy.
• Gemini You'll know you've picked the right wedding planner this week when he makes you list, from best to worst, your 10 favorite Rommel biographies.
• Cancer You take justifiable pride in your near-perfect infant-stroller design, but they'll still recall them all as soon as the deaths start.
• Leo Maybe it's just you, but up until the recent spate of news articles on the issue, you had no idea there were straight people in the military.
• Virgo The stars are genuinely sorry that they told your creepy coworker this would be a good week to make bold romantic moves.
• Libra People often overlook your generally optimistic nature and hopeful outlook, as well as the fact that living in an underground bunker is just plain cozy.
• Scorpio You will soon be the latest victim of society's unfortunate propensity to put the word "crazed" in front of the once-respected title of "gunman."
• Sagittarius Turns out there actually isn't an old saying that you can get away with anything as long as you're wearing a chicken suit.
• Capricorn There are, in fact, two kinds of people in the world, but if the stars told you what they were, you'd be shocked and possibly hurt.
• Aquarius The really strange thing, doctors will tell you this week, is that the worms just seem to be hanging out in your bloodstream as if waiting for a signal to lay their millions of eggs.
• Pisces Until next Thursday, you will have no idea what the world record is for stepping in bear traps.

Btw, great story here: UK teacher banned from teaching for life after being deemed "useless"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1322989/Nisar-Ahmed-The-teacher-banned-life-useless.html

Music: Modest Mouse - March Into the Sea
Just a crazy crazy song.

Payback

'Get ready to root for the bad guy"

That is in a Payback in a nutshell. A very (very) gritty fast-paced action film that stars Mel Gibson (I know, I know) in his hey-day. I guess after watching Edge of Darkness I was feeling pretty nostalgic about the Mel of Old, before the drinking and driving, before the racist outbursts, before Mel was engulfed in the darkness within himself. And that's why I took great comfort in Payback.

Released in 1999, Payback opens as Porter (Mel) is lying on his stomach out cold and looking like hell. A dirty and obese man hovers over him with a strong stench of whiskey on his breath. He then goes about removing the bullets lodged within Mel's back. After bullet two, Mel wakes up, and he's not too happy.

A small town criminal that indulges in heists ranging from convenience stores to banks, the only thing he can really count on is his wife and girlfriend-prostitute on the side (it's a very gritty movie). This all changes when he is stabbed (shot) in the back by his greedy partner and his wife that has apparently decided to move on. After that, Porter is out for revenge along with the money that his partner owes him. This only get more complicated when he gets mixed up with crooked cops, the Chinese mob, and a elite criminal organization known only as the Outfit.

This is a very dark film with an atmosphere very similar to that of Zach Snyder. Every scene is hyper-saturated and gloomy. The mood lets the audience know something very bad is about to happen in each and every scene, and usually, something does.

It is a action-packed and surprisingly funny film. Never a dull moment, Payback is a very well made and directed movie.

If your looking for a film that will keep you interested from beginning to end, I highly recommend Payback.

Music: Clarence "Frogman" Henry - Your Picture because not too many know about him and the man had some gems.

Red

So, I saw the movie Red opening weekend with a special someone someone and it was pretty darn good.

Trailer:

You can obviously tell by the trailer, but it stars Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and Morgan Freeman and it also features a lot of other very talented actors and actresses. They're all (for the most part) ex-CIA and have been targeted for assassination by what looks like the current CIA. Willis must get the gang back together and figure out how to stay alive long enough to figure out just what's going on. It's based off a comic.

The film is a action/comedy and it pulls off both very well. I was actually surprised at the level of action and well, violence in it. Every scene kept me engaged and entertained and the movie was flat out funny to boot.

If your up for a good action-packed movie, this is definitely for you. It's a very light and smooth film and never takes itself too seriously. The violence is hard to describe because although it looks like the most realistic scenes of violence I've seen in some time (not gore) it always almost feels comical - in a good way.


Really good movie, it's everything the Expendables was supposed to be. 
Willis 1 Sly 0


Music: 311 - Beyond the Gray Sky
The song puts me at ease.

Disclaimer** I have been reminded, I once raved about and recommended Paul Blart: Mall Cop, so take all my reviews with a grain of salt.

Horoscopes

The Onion's weekly horoscopes:

• Aries Your last hope of finding true and unconditional love ends this week when your ideal mate is executed by the State of Texas for unspeakable crimes against humanity.
• Taurus This week's revelations will be especially mortifying for you, seeing as how you've been insisting for years that life is not some sort of big pie-eating contest.
• Gemini When the moment of truth you've been praying for all these years finally arrives, you'll reject it out of hand rather than admit it's all been the cat's fault.
• Cancer You'll suddenly be torn away from your friends and cast out of the only home you've ever known by the authorities, who will insist your sentence is over and you're free to go.
• Leo Just as you've always suspected, it is in fact a felony to use your particular method of "getting girls."
• Virgo Next week will be a time of magical romance and unending joy for you, thanks to your boundless talent for self-delusion.
• Libra You're going to need a lot of Epsom salts and lip balm this week. No, honestly, you can trust us. This isn't like the time with the horse laxatives.
• Scorpio Someday you may learn that it is indeed possible to take a fun thing too far, but not before next week's experimentation with autoerotic asphyxiation.
• Sagittarius Your combined proclivities toward paranoia and depression combine when you start to think a race of alien lizard-people are controlling life's lowest echelons from behind the scenes.
• Capricorn In a wacky horoscopic mix-up, you'll encounter a mysterious stranger who takes you on a journey over water just as you're trying to start new projects at work.
• Aquarius Keep extra apples and ban-dages around the house next week, as your lover seems to be going through a William Tell phase.
• Pisces There will be nothing you can do to avert the disaster of next week, although there will be plenty that a reasonably bright and competent person could do.

Btw, I checked out the movie Shutter Island. You know, the Scorsese film with Leonardo DiCaprio. The one with him on an island...Anyway, it was pretty good, it was a two hour movie but it did keep you on the edge of your seat and interested the whole way through. The ending is rather good although it feels largely underwhelming when the credits start to roll.

Music: Led Zeppelin - Black Dog

The Review You've All Been Waiting For

‘Boardwalk Empire’ Review: Obsession with Style Distracts from Otherwise Promising Series

 by Robert Kelly

‘Boardwalk Empire’ is an intriguing new series on HBO, similar to ‘the Sopranos’, which showcases the rise of mobster-politician Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (Steve Buscemi) in 1920’s Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Nucky uses his power as both a corrupt yet popular local politician and feared mob boss to strengthen his hold on the city. With Prohibition looming, Nucky, ever the opportunist, sees money to be made in the buying, selling, and eventually brewing of soon to be illegal alcohol. Through sheer brutality and street smarts, Nucky and his gang of cutthroats must now protect this growing empire from greedy rival gangs and peering federal agents.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ is set in 1920’s America and the shows directors laboriously in scene after scene make that abundantly clear. They don’t just show it to the audience, they beat you over the head with it. This is undoubtedly the show’s biggest weakness. The plot is a strong one but it often takes a back seat to the historical and detailed approach the directors have taken.  The exaggeration and overuse of the 1920’s style prove to be a distraction in an otherwise fine show.  The show fails to keep you on the edge of your seat; although, it does have many memorable scenes. Because of the hyper-style, it seems as if you are watching the characters and the events unfold from a distance. It lacks a certain personal appeal necessary in order to connect with the characters. It’s as if you are watching art rather than engaging in a movie.

Furthermore, the acting in ‘Boardwalk Empire” is strong, but the characters, with a few exceptions, are altogether forgettable. Steve Buscemi is one of Hollywood’s more versatile actors but a strong central lead he is not. He never seems comfortable playing the tough and ruthless mobster the show is dependent on. I often found myself growing more and more interested only to have the spell broken by Buscemi’s half-hearted and almost comical attempt to display anger. Casting Buscemi in this type of role can be likened to casting Adrien Brody as the mercenary hero in Predators.  Hey, I said almost.

Vastly underused actor Michael Pitt plays Jimmy Darmody, a recently returned World War I vet, intent on making a name for himself within Nucky’s organization. It certainly does not hurt that he is Nucky’s nephew. Ambitious and often bull-headed, Jimmy repeatedly makes seemingly irrational and rash actions that could potentially spell trouble in the future. Pitt plays this role to perfection and adds a certain authenticity to a film that badly needs it.

Lastly, ‘No Country for Old Men’ actress Kelly Macdonald adds a strong female presence to the show and hers is really the only female character worth mentioning. She plays Margaret Schroeder, a fragile and abused housewife. Fighting loneliness and desperation she makes a heartfelt plea to Nucky for financial help. The sight of a small and defenseless Margaret withstand the constant beatings from her husband force an appeal for sympathy from the audience and she rightly gets it. When she enters a scene, your interest is immediately peaked as you hold out hope that she will one day escape from it all.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ airs every Sunday night at 9 p.m. on HBO. Episodes usually run at about an hour which is long enough to engage the audience and short enough to keep them from checking the time to see how much longer they have. Similar to the popular show the ‘Sopranos’, ‘Boardwalk Empire’ contains a good amount of violence, nudity, and profanity. Because of the content, children need to be as far away as possible or soundly asleep when Boardwalk starts up.

Overall, ‘Boardwalk Empire’ is an entertaining new show, just don’t expect it to have much of a lasting impact after you change the channel.